Events
Events
MY FS FLIGHTS
Flight Score
Improve the pattern downwind leg
The 45-degrees-behind-the-wing cue assumes you can turn your head and use peripheral vision. Downwind spacing cues like "put the wingtip halfway up the strut" assume a fixed, known eyepoint. Neither survives a monitor unmodified. If you fly on a fixed monitor, stop pretending and fly a numbers-based circuit.
Read more in Pattern WorkStart to finish · 14 stages, 14 scored
Events
Events
One stabilised approach gate for a circuit: six checks at the point nearest 500 ft above the runway after the base turn. The 1,000 ft gate is an instrument-approach check and does not apply.
The approach, gate by gate
Side view — the last 1,524 m of the approach.
Plan view — the first 1,524 m of the 2,737 m runway, to the same scale as the side view.
The 277 m touchdown sits inside the full-score zone. The arrival was smooth.
The rest of the report
Departing from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, the Britten Norman Trislander BN2 began its takeoff roll on runway 12, accelerating to a liftoff speed of 94 kt in 991 meters, which represented 36% of the available runway length. The local weather conditions were favorable, with a temperature of 15 °C and a gentle wind of 1 kt from 270°, resulting in a negligible crosswind component.
As the aircraft entered the left-hand traffic pattern, it demonstrated its agility and responsiveness, completing the pattern entry in less than 1 nm in 27 seconds. The subsequent turns and legs of the pattern were executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a consistent speed and altitude. The pattern downwind turn, for instance, covered a distance of 2 nm at an angle of 91.6° to the runway, while the final turn was completed in less than 1 nm in 43 seconds. The approach to runway 12 was made from the north-west, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 121.0° at 0 nm and 161 ft above ground level.
The landing was executed smoothly, with the aircraft touching down at a speed of 49 kt and a distance of 276 m, which represented 20% of the available runway length. The touchdown rate was an impressive -93 fpm, indicating a well-controlled descent. Although the runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 6.2 m from the centreline, the runway rollout alignment was very good. The total landing distance was 548 m, and the aircraft used 4 kg of fuel for the entire flight, which covered a distance of 8 nm and took approximately 5 minutes to complete.
The final approach to runway 12 at EGPK Glasgow Prestwick Airport from the north west was executed with precision, with the aircraft maintaining a heading of 121.0° at 0 nm and 161 ft above ground level. The approach quality was excellent, with a good threshold height and a threshold speed of 66 kt, well within the acceptable range. As the aircraft touched down on the runway, the touchdown distance of 276 m was good, and the touchdown speed of 49 kt was also within the desired parameters. The touchdown rate of -93 fpm was particularly impressive, demonstrating exceptional control and precision.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft's runway touchdown position was slightly misaligned by 6.2 m from the centreline, which was the only notable deviation from an otherwise flawless landing. The local weather conditions, with a temperature of 15 °C and a wind of 1 kt at 270°, contributed to a negligible crosswind and tailwind, making the landing even more challenging. The total landing distance of 548 m, which accounted for only 20% of the runway length, was a testament to the pilot's skill and the aircraft's performance.
The runway rollout alignment was very good, with the aircraft maintaining a stable and consistent path along the centreline. Overall, the landing was a success, with a score of 98.2% reflecting the high level of proficiency and control demonstrated by the pilot. The combination of good approach quality, precise touchdown, and stable rollout made for a textbook landing, showcasing the capabilities of the Britten Norman Trislander BN2.
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